Agency heads taking what they can get in Hamilton County budget

The heads of several Hamilton County departments and agencies that likely will see funding increases in the next fiscal year said they’re happy to get them, even if those increases aren’t all they were hoping for.

County Commissioner Curtis Adams, chairman of the commission’s Finance Committee, said agencies often do not receive all the money they request.

“They don’t always get what they ask for, and a lot of times they do,” he said.

Budgeting was likely a little tighter this year because of less-than-expected growth in sales tax revenues, he said. Property tax revenues have remained steady, County Mayor Claude Ramsey said.

Mr. Ramsey’s proposed 2008-09 budget includes about $152,000 more for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library than the 2007-08 budget. The proposal would give the library $372,664 less than requested, however.

“We’re very appreciative,” said David Clapp, executive director for the library, which receives equal funding from the city and the county. “All of it’s encouraging.”

Mr. Clapp said the extra funding will allow the library to give its employees a pay increase.

But the added funds aren’t enough for the library to once again open the doors of three branches five days a week, Mr. Clapp said. At the beginning of the year, the library closed those branches an extra day every week because of a lack of funds.

Barry Bennett, director of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, said the funding increase his agency received from the county — about $70,000 — will keep him from having to lose employees. But the agency won’t be able to fill several open spots, he said.

“I understand things are tight all over,” Mr. Bennett said. “It’s going to be difficult.”

The agency, also funded by the city and the county, had asked for a $219,000 increase.

Mr. Bennett said the agency had been using a fund balance for extra expenses, but it did not have that luxury this year.

“We started out in a hole,” he said.

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, which is considering ending its electric shuttle service, got $5,000 of the $118,700 increase it requested. Tom Dugan, CARTA’s executive director, said the authority’s board has been working under the assumption there would be no increase.

“It certainly doesn’t help matters any, but it was not unanticipated,” he said.

The Humane Society of Chattanooga may have to make some budgetary changes, said Executive Director Guy Bilyeu. But he said he was mainly happy to get some extra funding.

“(County officials) understand the costs we’ve incurred,” he said.

The Humane Society requested about $36,000 more than the $395,255 allotted to it in Mr. Ramsey’s budget.

Erlanger hospital ended up with the same amount it got in this year’s budget — $3 million. Erlanger Health System President and CEO Jim Brexler, who had asked for $3.5 million, acknowledged that officials face financial strains, but he suggested the hospital may seek outside funding.

“We know they understand that the financial pressures on us, along with the need for our services by our community, are also extreme,” he said through a spokeswoman. “Working collaboratively, we are all committed to seeking alternative sources of funding and support.”

County Sheriff Allen Branum, whose department was allocated about $2.4 million less than requested, could not be reached for comment Friday.

The 2008-09 budget year begins July 1. The commission will vote on the budget June 26.